Improvement in shirt-bosom supports



A. w. THoMAAs. Shirt-Bosom Suppr`ts.y

Patented May 5,1874.

INT/ENTOR .dttomeys.

LINITE'D [STATES AMos vsn-THOMAS, or 'PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

'IMPROVEMENT IN SHIRT-sosoM SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150.631, dated May 5, 1874; application led september 29, 1873.

, the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled `in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a front view of my invention, and Fig. 2 a horizontal section.

My invention has for its object to provide a device for supporting` shirtfronts, so as to prevent the latter from becoming crumpled or creased by bending while being worn.

The nature of my. invention consists in the peculiar construction and combination of parts, having reference particularly to a method whereby the supporter and shirt-front may be secured together by means of buttons or studs passing simultaneously through both, as hereinafter more fully described.

' Referring to the accompanying drawing, A shows the main stay of the skeleton which forms the supporter, said stay being constructed of material having sufficient rigidity or sustaining power for the object in view, and yet susceptible of being pierced for the purpose of forming stud or button holes a a. For the purposes of the case, two parallel wires a a woven in atextile coverino1 or twin-spring 7 wire, will answer admirably, that part of said covering between the wires affording ground for the button or stud holes.

In order to give a finished appearance, as well as to prevent injury to the wearer or un raveling of the covering, the stay is provided with metallic ends or caps.

B is awire, bent, as shown, to form three sides, b b b, of an oblong, its ends being turned down obliquely and crossed, forming braces b1 b1, which are secured by suitable means at the points b3, said wire B being also further attached to the stay A at the point b2. Op() are auxiliary braces secured to the wire B at the points c c. D D are buttons secured to the corners of the supporter, designed for attachment to the shirt-front, which should be furnished with holes or loops for that purpose, or the buttons may be dispensed with and the corners of the supporter fitted in suitable pockets on the shirts. E is a back of flannel or other suitable material to be employed when it is desired to secure warmth and make the device available as a chest-protector. l

It is not designed, in the rst instance, to pierce holes in the main stay A. The device is to be made up and sold, and the holes afterward pierced of a size, and at the requisite distances apart, to sui-t the studs and shirts of the purchasers.

It will be observed that by the peculiar arrangement of the wire Bvwith reference to the main stay A, the upper extremity of the latter is some distance below the higher corners of the former, thus leaving a depression or unwired space between said corners, which will be found to vrender the device more comfortable and easy to the chest than if the wire proceeded straight across from corner to corner, forming a perfect oblong. So, too, the wires B being crossed, as shown, at the upper extremity of the main stay, and proceeding thence to the points of attachment b3, form braces for stift'enin g the device, which should be less yielding above than below its horizontal diameter.

Further, it will be` seen that the exterior outline of the device and the upper crossed braces are, by the peculiar arrangement shown, formed of a single piece of wire, whereby the troublesome and relatively costly expedient of uniting several pieces by clamps is dispensed with.

What I claim as my invention is l. In combination with a shirt bosom support, the main stay A, constructed and adapted to be readily pierced with holes for studs or buttons, substantially as described and shown.

2. The combination, with the outline or constructed as described, the Hannel back E, border wire B and main stay A, of the obfor the purpose set forth. lique intersecting braces b1 b1, arranged as In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I shown and described, said braces being conhave hereunto set my hand this 26th day of tinuations of the border wire. September7 1873.

3. In combination with the oblique braces b b, the auxiliary braces C C, substantially as set forth and described.

4. In combination with the main stay A,

AMos W. THOMAS.

Witnesses W. W. DOUGHERTY, M. DANI.. UONNOLLY. 

